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Page 287
little sleep-dazed and was trying to decide what made him feel so worried. The thought came to him that Alinor would not order her maidservant to kill anyone.
That idea, naturally enough, restored his anxiety in full measure but with a definite object. Ian had no idea how long he had slept. That hellion he had married could have ordered ten or a hundred murders by now.
"Alinor."
In a moment she was at the bed, putting back the curtains. She wore only a soft green bedrobe that made her eyes look the color of the sea over pale sand and exposed her white throat. Her expression was as sweet and compliant as any man could desire; her voice, as she asked in what way she could serve her lord, was as soft and musical as if it could never snap as viciously as any whip. All Ian wanted to do was pull her down beside him and caress her. He steeled himself against the tempting weakness.
"Send your maid out," Ian said.
Alinor raised a brow but made no protest. She sent Gertrude away, then returned. Her expression was still sweet, a half smile still curved her lips, but her eyes were wary.
"What I desire now is that you remember what you swore to me here, last night, that in this chamber there would be no lies. Then tell me what you have done about Sir Peter."
"Done? About Sir Peter himself? Nothing."
"Alinor"
"If you do not believe what I answer, why do you bother to question me?"
The green of Alinor's eyes was hard as emerald now; the voice, still flexible and expressive, nonetheless held a note of steel.
"I will believe that you have not personally attacked Sir Peter with knife or sword. I want to know what orders you have given about him."
"About him? None."

 
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